Twisted-louver high performance heat exchanger fin

Abstract

A twisted-louver high performance heat exchanger fin assembly includes a plurality of fin elements each having a louver formed therein. The louvers include first and second portions connected by a twisted portion such that the first and second portions cross in an X-shaped profile.

What is claimed is:  
     
       1. A twisted-louver high performance heat exchanger fin assembly comprising: 
       a plurality of fin elements, each said fin element having first and second portions extending in associated generally parallel planes;  
       a first louver portion formed in said fin element first portion, said first louver portion being generally planar and extending at a first predetermined angle from said plane of said fin element first portion; and  
       a second louver portion formed in said fin element second portion, said second louver portion being generally planar and extending at a second predetermined angle from said plane of said fin element second portion, said first and second louver portions connected by a twisted portion and crossing in an X-shaped profile, wherein a width of said first louver portion, a width of said second louver portion, and a width of said twisted portion are substantially equal.  
     
     
       2. The heat exchanger fin assembly according to  claim 1  wherein said first and second angles are the same. 
     
     
       3. The heat exchanger fin assembly according to  claim 1  wherein said fin element first and second portions are connected by a generally S-shaped central portion. 
     
     
       4. A twisted-louver high performance heat exchanger fin assembly comprising: 
       a plurality of fin elements, each said fin element having first and second portions extending in associated generally parallel planes connected by a curved central portion;  
       a first louver portion formed in said fin element first portion, said first louver portion being generally planar and extending at a first predetermined angle from said plane of said fin element first portion;  
       a second louver portion formed in said fin element second portion, said second louver portion being generally planar and extending at a second predetermined angle from said plane of said fin element second portion, said first and second louver portions crossing in an X-shaped profile; and  
       a twisted portion connecting said first and second louver portions, wherein a width of said first louver portion, a width of said second louver portion, and a width of said twisted portion are substantially equal.  
     
     
       5. The heat exchanger fin assembly according to  claim 4  wherein said first and second angles are the same. 
     
     
       6. The heat exchanger fin assembly according to  claim 4  wherein said central portion is generally S-shaped. 
     
     
       7. A heat exchanger comprising: 
       at least one manifold connected to a plurality of fluid flow tubes;  
       a plurality of fin elements interposed between said tubes, each said fin element having first and second portions extending in associated generally parallel planes connected by a curved central portion;  
       a first louver portion formed in said fin element first portion, said first louver portion being generally planar and extending at a first predetermined angle from said plane of said fin element first portion; and  
       a second louver portion formed in said fin element second portion, said second louver portion being generally planar and extending at a second predetermined angle from said plane of said fin element second portion, said first and second louver portions crossing in an X-shaped profile, wherein a width of said first louver portion, a width of said second louver portion, and a width of said curved portion are substantially equal.